One USC fan and La Mirada resident has been given the chance to be a fly on the wall when it comes to his team’s faithful mascot.

Dr. Gary Pirnat, chiropractor and assistant professor by day, is the photographer for Traveler’s team of handlers and security by Friday nights.

“It’s a great experience,” he said. “I’ve definitely enjoyed it and look forward to football season.”

Pirnat, 56, has worked at the Clinical Medicine Southern California University of Health Sciences in Whittier for 26 years as a chiropractor and at the university’s clinic. He is also a member of the Whittier Rotary Club.

He and wife Michele live in La Mirada.

For Pirnat, photography was always a hobby, but it became a larger part of his life when he was discovered at a USC game in 2003.

“I have done basic photography probably since I was about 8 years old,” he said. “This has made it blossom quite a bit, because I have been able to continue with it in a more professional mode.”

Pirnat and his family, all fans of USC, attended a game, where he took a photo of Traveler from the stands. The photo turned out well, so a cousin sent it in to his friend, who happened to be Traveler’s handler.

Joanne Asman of Asman and Associates contacted Pirnat about becoming part of Traveler’s team.

Asman’s company specializes in supplying equestrian entertainment at parties and other events. Under her watchful eye, Pirnat has taken more than 100,000 photos of Traveler in his four years on the job.

“The wonderful thing about Gary is that he’s never really shot horses before,” Asman said. “And he’s what I would call a natural.”

According to Asman, Pirnat not only accompanies her team to football games, but also to events not related to Traveler’s post, and to USC events where the mascot will make an appearance.

Pirnat’s position with Asman is not paid; he takes photos for love of the art and the job.

“I do this somewhat out of the goodness of my heart,” Pirnat said. “It’s kind of a volunteer thing.”

Pirnat said the task of photographing the mascot mostly consists of football games, all of them at home.

“Traveler, even though his name indicates that he travels, doesn’t,” Pirnat said.

A typical game means photographs of the horse’s opening run, and an additional run every time a touchdown is scored.

But beyond the field, Pirnat has become privy to the secret life of Traveler.

Before each game, the horse is taken to the field early to get reacquainted with his surroundings. At home, Asman keeps the environment much like the Colosseum, with the colors from inside the stadium and even footballs lying around. She said becoming Traveler is a job not every horse can do.

“It has to do with temperament, it has to do with trust, and it has to do with training,” Asman said.

The current Traveler, a 16-year-old show horse, has a real name that Asman would not disclose.

“When he’s representing USC, he’s Traveler,” she said. “There is no other name.”

Dawn Fielder, Pirnat’s friend of 30 years and a fellow USC fan, said he is a good friend and a wonderful photographer.

An amateur photographer herself, Fielder said Pirnat has helped with her photographs and loves to spend time on his hobby. His job with USC has been enjoyable, she said.

“I can’t remember when he didn’t have a camera in his hand,” Fielder said. “He just loves to see the world through that camera.”

Pirnat said he will stay on with Asman’s team as long as he enjoys his work, which he anticipates being a long time.

“It’s amazing and exciting to be down on the field,” he said. “USC has been on a great winning streak, the place is almost always packed. You almost have to wear earplugs because it gets so loud.”